Fifth week after Pentecost

This was a slow week for me. I got suddenly ill on Wednesday morning with flu-like symptoms. I went back to my cell and rested for the day. Then my impatience with being sick kicked in on Thursday, I considered going back to the office but realized I wasn't ready when just taking my shower and dressing up exhausted me. By Thursday evening, I snuck into First Vespers of St Peter and St Paul but then had to retreat again. I finally got back to my usual monastic routine on Friday.

While I was laying low, I managed to get my sermon for this Sunday re-written from one I gave six years ago on the same texts. Whenever an old sermon still resonates with me, I consider recycling it. This one got lots of positive feedback. On the other hand, some old sermons just sound like who I was then and no longer with where God and I are in our relationship now.

Do you know that we now feature audio recordings of our sermons, as well as the text, on our Sermons Blog? Check today's sermon out. The audio file is under the link just above the preacher's picture.

During my downtime, I also hunkered down and finished a long-neglected novel. I finally read Toni Morrison's "Beloved" to the end. I read somewhere that it is a book you get more of the second time you read it and I may well give it that second reading in a few years. I had trouble with the time-jumping narrative and the changes of character perspectives. I often didn't get it until late in a section that we had shifted. But it is a mind-expanding novel for it got me to slip under the skin of slaves and freed slaves. That is a perspective that our country needs to take more often when reflecting on our history.

To finish the book, I helped myself reading the book by using a technique Br. Joseph introduced me to: I listened to the Audible version of the book read by Toni Morrisson herself, while I read the text on my Kindle. It keeps me going further than reading would on its own. Also, I loved Ms. Morrisson's voice and diction.

With all that, I nearly met my Goodreads yearly challenge. Goodreads is a social network for readers. I had set myself the challenge to read 20 books this year. With "Beloved" I got to 19 books read. Several of those were "abandoned" books that I picked up and finished. Now I have updated my yearly challenge to 30 books by year's end. I like to have reachable challenges and then set the bar higher if necessary (as an ex-coach, I like to build upon successes rather than focus on shortcomings).

Because of my ill-health spell, I missed out on the reception of Elizabeth Boe as our latest Associate. Elizabeth works for The Episcopal Church on the YASC and EVIM programs that send missionaries abroad. She stayed behind a few days after the missionaries left last Sunday.

Elizabeth holding her newly-received Associate cross in her hand.

If you're considering becoming an Associate (it's easier than most think), get in touch with Br. Josép Martinez-Cubero.

One of the YASC'ers (the younger missionaries), Mitchell, wrote about his monastery experience on his blog.

This past Monday, Mr. Max Esmus arrived for his two-week aspirant visit. Aspirants have been in conversation with our Vocations Minister for a while and have decided with him that it is time to try on the monastery life for size. An aspirant gets a cell in the enclosure and lives with the community as one of its members. It helps the aspirant to get real about the attraction of the monastic life and it helps the community discern if there might be a "good fit." Max is Music Director at Grace Church In Haddonfield and Artistic Director at Haddonfield Center and School for the Performing Arts. We promise we like him for more than his great skill at playing the organ ;-). As a matter of fact, part of the aspirant visit experience for him is to live away from keyboards for a while.

Top: a picture from September 2016 when Br. Josép (left) and Max Esmus (right) gave a recital at St Alban's Church in Washington DC as a Capital Campaign benefi; Bottom: the sister picture taken this Sunday.

Please hold Max and all those who are discerning a call to monastic life in your prayers. If you're one of those men, get in touch with Br. Joseph Wallace-Williams, our Vocations Minister.

I just picked up our Superior, Br. Robert James Magliula from the New Paltz Park'n Ride. He was on his way back from a weekend visit to our Priory in Toronto to receive the initial profession of the Benedictine vow of our Br. Charles McMulkin.

Br. Charles McMulkin (second from right) making his iinitial profession of the Benedictine Vow. His new choir cowl (a large tunic with floppy sleeves used only in choir) sits neatly folded on the altar.

And other Brothers are on their way out. Br. Randy Greve will be at the General Convention of The Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, these coming two weeks. He will serve as one of the chaplains to the House of Bishops. Br. Joseph Wallace-Williams will be there too helping out with the CAROA stand among many other ministerial opportunities. CAROA stands for the Conference of Anglican Religious Orders in the Americas. Br. Joseph will be joined by Br. David Hoopes from Holy Cross Priory in Toronto.

Please pray for all delegates to General Convention.

Keep cool. Blessings!